Does anyone know of any strong links between the early Huguenot immigrants and the Banburyshire area ? I'm aware that the Banbury MP, at the time of Elizabeth I, raised funds to support the Huguenots and that a good deal of the town's plush was exported to France - but these are somewhat tenuous links. What I'm looking for, is any link between the Banbury surname PLESTER and the Huguenots. At the time of the 1841 census, Banbury accounted for 31% of the PLESTER records and a massive 75% of all Plesters lived within a 20 mile radius of the town. London accounted for just 10% - and they were Huguenot (the French Hospital has a number of Plester records). But what I've never managed to do, is establish a link (other than the plush trade to France via London) between the two groups. I realize that the two groups could have different origins for the surname - but the earliest references I've found for the name are both dated 1613 - one in London and one in Banburyshire ! And I'm inclined to the view that a simultaneous creation of a new and enduring surname (or new and enduring spelling of an older name) in both places is a little unlikely - not impossible, but unlikely given that it's a rare name occurring only six times per million of the population (in 1841). Any thoughts would be welcome. Best wishes, John Plester (www.plesterfamilyhistory.org) _________________________________________________________________ Send us your Hotmail stories and be featured in our newsletter http://clk.atdmt.com/UKM/go/195013117/direct/01/